During the recent Lunar New Year holidays, the film 'The King and the Man,' directed by Jang Hang-jun and featuring poignant performances by Park Ji-hoon and Yoo Hae-jin, topped the South Korean box office. Over the five-day holiday period from February 14 to 18, the film drew an impressive 2,675,456 viewers, contributing to a cumulative total of over 4.17 million since its release on February 4. The film's emotional depth and compelling performances resonated with audiences, making it a popular choice for family viewing during the holiday period.

In comparison, 'Humanity,' directed by Ryu Seung-wan and starring Jo In-sung and Park Jung-min, attracted only 980,142 viewers over the same five days after its release on February 11, with a total of 1,284,843 viewers to date. Despite early optimism surrounding 'Humanity,' the stark difference in audience turnout highlights the unpredictable nature of box office success. Additionally, 'Number One,' featuring Choi Woo-shik and Jang Hye-jin, performed poorly with just 187,845 cumulative viewers, illustrating the competitive landscape of the Korean film industry during the holiday season.

Critics noted both strengths and weaknesses in 'The King and the Man' and 'Humanity.' While the former faced criticism for its shaky plot structure and CGI, the emotional intensity of the latter half received praise. Furthermore, interest in historical elements prompted audience visits to historical sites related to the film, enhancing its visibility. On the other hand, 'Humanity' received positive notes for its action sequences but faced backlash due to dated themes and some controversial depictions, which ultimately hampered its reception among certain demographics, especially young women.